Switch stand



Sheet a M s d am fim 1 m mw. w i W n 1\ J M. E: n L B Q K v I P 1 A I 41. a n m w 1%,. E -.//.I\K\ m June 10, 1969 R. 1.. WILSON ET AL SWITCH STAND Filed Jan. 8, 1968 SWITCH STAND Sheet Filed Jan. 8, 1968 n 3 m wDwa 0 e 2 n rS r eL 0 u me w 8 wnaK o mm R E 35, waiaae.

June 10, 1969 \MLSON ET AL SWITCH STAND Filed Jan. 8, 1968 1n 1' m N Edward C. Spemg/ ornags Inventors Rosser luwiison.

Earl E. Frank Edward C.Sperr%/ June 10, 1969 R. 1.. WILSON ET SWITCH STAND Filed Jan. 8, 1968 5 wAeeM /V' m M Dm June 10, l 969 R. L. WILSON ET AL SWITCH STAND Sheet 5 of 6 Filed Jan. 8, 1968 Inventors Passer L. wilson Earl E. Frank Edward C. Sperry 5/ rrzegJS June 10, 1969 R: w so ET AL 3,449,562

SWITCH STAND Filed Jan. 8, 1968 Sheet 6 of 6' +r' l" III N 85 'TTTiizg'illl; MHH' in a In ventons Rosser L.Wilson Earl E Frank Edward C. Sperm? 5g, w" MDM :fH-korneg'S United States Patent 3,449,562 SWITCH STAND Rosser L. Wilson, Mahwah, N.J., and Earl E. Frank, Tallman, and Edward C. Sperry, Warwick, N.Y., assignors to Abex Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 8, 1968, Ser. No. 696,446 Int. Cl. B611 /06 US. Cl. 246-411 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A railroad switch stand is so constructed as to be thrown manually, or by the train itself, or by a power unit mounted on the handle used for manual operation. The switch points may be thrown to a new position by any one of the three possible modes of operation without regard to the mode in which they were previously set.

This invention relates to a specific improvement on the switch stand of U.S. Patent No. 2,575,037, and the primary object of the present invention is to preserve all the structural advantages of that switch stand while enabling it to be operated by a power unit attached to the handle used for manual operation. Thus, we preserve the basic advantage of the known switch stand, which is that there is no fixed relationship between the horizontal position of the hand lever and the position of the switch points, while at the same time we enable the stand to be so operated by power as to extend the desired feature of non-fixed relationships to power operation itself, which is to say that there is no fixed relationship between the position occupied by the switch points and whatever mode of operation is next used to reverse the switch points.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to be the best mode contemplated for applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a switchstand according to the invention with the hand lever in one thrown position and showing the other thrown position in dot-and-dash lines;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 22 of FIG. 1 showing the switchstand in the position it assumes after manually thrown the switch against the stock rail nearest the switchstand;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through the stand with parts in the same position as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the position of the switchstand when manually thrown to the position where it places the switchpoints against the stock rail remote from the switchstand;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section similar to FIG. 4, but showing the switchstand in dead center position, mid-way through an automatic operation;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section illustrating the mid-position of the switchstand when manually operated;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section illustrating the midposition of the switchstand when manually operated;

FIG. 8 is a detail of the crank shaft assembly, with the several links in alignment;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are fragmentary detail views of another embodiment of the invention; and

ice

FIGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary detail views of still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the switchstand is indicated by 10 and is shown resting on ties 11. The switchstand supports a crank 13 pivoted to a switch throw rod 14 by pin 15, the throw rod extending to the switch points of a railway switch (not shown), as will be understood by those skilled in the art. A hand lever 12 for manual operation of the switchstand is shown disposed upon simple supporting rests 17, but it will be understood that latching devices may be used for positively locking the lever 12 in either or both horizontal throw positions. Switchstand 10 has target shaft 16 for supporting a target (not shown), as will be understood.

As shown in FIG. 2, an electric motor 18 is secured to the handle 12 by bracket 18B. Motor 18 drives a gear 18G in turn meshed with a gear 19 which is part of a spring base as hereinafter described. Referring now also to FIGS. 28, the switchstand 10 comprises a separable case having a lower section 20 and an upper section 21, FIG. 3, of generally cylindrical construction and separately connected by bolts (not shown) at the four corners thereof. The lower section 20 of the case has angular oiisets 30, FIGS. 1 and 2, connected to base flanges 23 having spike holes 29 through which spikes are passed to affix the switchstand to the ties 11. Suitable vertical gussets or webs 24 connect the case and base flanges 23 for strength.

The ends of the cylindrical casing are closed by end walls having recesses 25 and 26, FIG. 2, for the crank assembly described hereinafter. The upper case section 21 has a bearing 27, FIG. 3, and the lower case section 20 has a bearing 28 for a spindle 33 rotatable about a vertical axis.

The spindle 33 supports the target shaft 16 and is formed with journals 35 and 36 which have bearing relationship with bearings 27 and 28 respectively. The journals 35 and 36 are connected by sweeping arms forming an open, off-center spindle box 37. The spindle 33 supports hub 38 in which is adjustably threaded the crank arm 13 which operates the rod 14 for throwing the switch.

The horizontal crank shaft assembly comprises a thrust bushing 41, FIG. 2, at one end and a spring base 42 at the other end. The spring base presents the gear 19 as noted which is located outside the casing or housing of the switch stand. Arranged between bushing 41 and spring base 42 is an articulated linkage including a cross-head 46, a first or rear link 45, a second or intermediate link 44, and a third or pivot link 43.

The hand lever is only journalled on the hub of the gear 19, FIG. 2, so that the latter may rotate independently of any movement of hand lever 12 which is secured in place by a washer 47 and bolts 47B.

The thrust bushing 41 has a positioning flange 50, FIG. 2, and seats in the recess 25; it has a conical socket 51, FIG. 3, at the end of which is a recess seating a ball 39. Disposed within conical socket 51 is the third or pivot link 43 having a recess 40, FIG. 8, which fits over ball 39 so that the pivot link 43 has both rotative movement and a limited pivotal movement in all directions within thrust bushing 41. The pivot link absorbs thrust.

The second or intermediate link 44 has two recesses making it I-I-shaped, FIG. 8, and its outer surface is cylindrical so as to rotate within a spindle block '57, FIG. 8, which has a snug sliding fit within the flat-sided recess 59 of spindle box 37, FIG. 3. The first or rear link 45 is pivoted to intermediate link 44 and to the cross-head 46 which is in the shape of a strap.

Pivot pins 52, 53 and 54, whose axes are parallel, pivot the members 43, 44, 45, and 46 together as indicated,

' 3 looking pins indicated in general by 49, FIG. 8 being provided to hold the pivot pins in proper axial position. Pivot pins 52, '53 are long enough to confine spindle block 57 on the H-shaped intermediate link 44.

An annular spring cap 58, FIGS. 2 and 3, supports a helical spring 61 and is formed with recesses for the lugs 60 of cross-head 46. Thus, in effect, the cross-head embraces or spans one end of the spring. Cross-head 46 is adapted to slide axially within bore 55 in spring base 42 when subjected to thrust in the direction of the spring base. Bore 55 is of rectangular cross section, and crosshead 46 fits therein snugly enough to permit no substantial relative rotation between these parts while permitting relative axial movement. In fact, the cross-head is rotatable with the spring base because of this fit, and is free to slide axially as noted.

The opposite end of spring 51 bears against a flange 56 on spring base 42, serving as a spring seat. Spring base 42 has a reduced hub portion 63 which is loosely journaled in case bearing 26, and the spring base may rotate independently of handle 12 as noted.

An adjusting bolt 64, FIG. 2, passes through an opening in cross-head 46 and an opening in a wall 68 in the spring base 42, and a nut 67 on a bolt 64 adjust the outermost position which spring cap can move with respect to spring base 42. A built-in socket wrench 65 is used for rotating nut 67, this wrench having a square boss 66 which extends through a square hole in the retaining washer for hand lever 12.

Bolt 64 is kept from turning by engagement of its head between the legs of strap-shaped cross-head 46 as shown in FIG. 7. When it is desired to adjust nut 67, bolts 48B and washer 47 are removed permitting a wrench to be applied to boss 66 for turning built-in wrench 65.

Spindle stops 31 may be cast into the lower case section 20 if desired. They are provided to limit movement of the spindle box 37, in either direction, to some value, such as ten degrees, beyond the regular operating zone, for convenience in handling during shipment and installation. Normally, in operation, the spindle box will not engage stops 31.

It will be noted, FIG. 2, that in a normal or at-rest position, cross-head 46, spring base 42, and the third link 43 are aligned on a common axis LA. This first link 45 is canted relative to this axis in one direction, and the second or intermediate link is canted relative to this axis in the opposite direction. Link 43 at all times is substantially aligned on axis LA.

Operation It will be understood that the adjusting bolt and nut 64, 67 may be adjusted to cause spring pressure from spring 6 1 to be transmitted directly through to the switchpoints when the hand lever is in either thrown position, which is the preferred adjustment in practice, since in this manner a positive spring bias is extended on the switch points in home position. However, such adjustment of bolt and nut 64, 67 may be made that no spring pressure is transmitted through to the switchpoints when the hand lever is in either thrown position. To facilitate understanding of the functioning of the switchstand, the operation will first be described with the latter adjustment, bearing in mind that gears 18G and '19 being in mesh, the handle 12 is in elfect keyed or locked to the spring base 42. K

To operate the switchstand manually, the hand lever 12 is raised from one horizontal position and thrown to the opposite horizontal position. Gear 19 turns through 180 (and carries spring base 42 along. This movement from FIG. 2 position to FIG. 4 position rotates the link and spring assembly as a unit about its horizontal axis LA, spring base 42 rotating in case bearing 26 and pivot link 43 rotating in thrust bushing 41. This causes links 44 and 4 to describe generally conical surfaces above the axis LA, link 44 rotating relative to spindle box 37 during this motion, although their angular position relative to one another remains unchanged; they only change sides, from FIG. 2 position to FIG. 4 position. This moves the spindle box 37 through approximately an angle of thus moving the switchpoints from one closed position, with adjacent switchpoint against the remote stock rail. FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate the mid-position of the horizontal crank assembly during a manual operation.

For automatic operation from the FIG. 4 position by the car or locomotive, the camming or wedging action of the wheel flanges of the train on the switchpoints reciprocates the throw rod '14 which turns crank rod 13 and spindle 33. This rotates the spindle box 3 7 which in turn straightens out the links 44 and 45 and compressing the toggle spring 61 which moves through the dead center position shown in FIG. 5, causing the links 44- and 45 to take corresponding positions indicated by dot-and-dash lines V and W in FIG. 4 on the opposite side of dead center position. This automatic movement also causes the cross-head to move axially farther into the recess 55 in the spring base, but does not cause any movement of the spring base, gear 19 or hand lever 12.

In the operation just described, caused by the train, the hand lever 12 stays in the FIG. 4 position, although links 44 and 45 were moved to the V and W positions, FIG. 4. To throw the switch by hand after such an automatic operation, the hand lever 12 is rotated from the horizontal position in FIG. 4 to the opposite horizontal position, the links 44 and 45 at this time moving from positions V and W through an arc and describing conical surfaces below the horizontal plane of the horizontal crank assembly as shown by the dot-and-dash lines X and Y in FIG. 6. In other words, with this type of switchstand there is at once no fixed corresponding relationship between the horizontal position of the hand lever, the position of the switchpoints, or the position of the motor .18.

Motor 18 enables the switchpoints to be thrown automatically from any remote control position where would be located the off-on switch for motor 18. Actuation can be with handle 12 in the FIG. 2 or FIG. 4 position, regardless of whether the switchpoints were previously set by hand or by the train or by motor M. When motor 18 is energized, its gear 18G drives gear 19, causing rotation of the latter together with the spring base 42. Limit switches (not shown) may be used to cut power to the motor after gear 19 has been turned through the required as determined by the switch points reaching home position, or power may be interrupted by well known controls responsive to an increase in motor torque when the stock rail is finally engaged by the switch point. The motor M need drive in only one direction because it is wholly immaterial whether the spring base is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise through 180, or whether it rotates through 360 in the same direction. In fact, it is a unique advantage that a reversing motor need not be used. When the switchstand is operated by motor M, handle 12 remains in the position to which it was last thrown manually. Thus, we retain all the advantages of the known switchstand while greatly enlarging its capacity.

As stated above, the adjusting bolt and nut 64, 67 are preferably adjusted in practice to transmit some pressure from spring 61 through to the switchpoints. Thus in both horizontal thrown positions of the hand lever the bolt 64 and nut 67 no longer determine the outermost position of spring cap 58 but this position is determined by the engagement of the switchpoints against the stock rail. Thus, in FIGURES 2 and 4 the adjusting nut 67 is shown slightly loose. The spring 61 acting against spring base 42 transmits pressure through spring cap 58, crosshead 46, link 45, intermediate link 44, spindle block 57, spindle box 37, spindle 33, crank 13, and connecting rod 14 to the switchpoints. This adjustment has the advantage of insuring always sufiicient pressure of the switchpoints against stock rails in either position of the switch, and it also assists in operating the switchstand manually.

With the above-mentioned adjustment, that is, with the spring transmitting pressure to the switchpoints, when the switch is thrown manually from the FIG. 2 position to the FIG. 4 position, the first part of the lifting movement of the hand lever 12 is aided by the spring 61, which lessens the tension on the spring until the spring pressure is taken up by the bolt and nut 64, 67, after which the movement of the hand lever 12 is free of spring pressure through mid-position (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) until near the other horizontal thrown position (FIG. 4) when spring pressure is again built up on the spring 61. Thus the spring assists the switchman in the lifting of the hand lever at the beginning of the manual operation and resists manual operation toward the end of the throw when it is moving downwardly. Since the upward movement of the hand lever is, ordinarily, more diflicult for the switchman than the downward movement, where the switchman may use his own body weight, the spring has the additional advantage of facilitating hand operation.

As the spring 61 expands at the beginning of the manual operation, cross-head 46 moves towards the spindle 33 and angular relationship between intermediate link 44 and link 45 changes slightly; and as the spring 61 contracts at the end of the manual operation, the original relationship of these parts is restored. It will be understood that the assistance derived from the spring in raising the hand lever acts only through a small angle and is not sufficient in itself to raise the hand lever when the latter is not latched down.

It will be noted that the ofi-center spindle box 37 constitutes in effect a crank arm and that the H-shaped intermediate link 44 constitutes a crank pin; similarly, the rear link 45 constitutes a crank arm while the crosshead 46 and spring base 42 constitutes a crank shaft; and that the movement of the crank pin working in the spindle box 37, due to rotation of the crank shaft during manual operation of the switchstand, causes rotation of the spindle about its vertical axis.

The axes of the third or pivot link 43, the intermediate or second link 44 and their connecting pivot pin 52 intersect in a common point, which, when the parts are all centrally located in their seats or bearings, is located on the axes of both vertical spindle 33 and horizontal crank shaft 42, 46, which intersect at this point on the axis LA. This geometrical relationship is unstable in certain respects due to play and loose fits discussed below. For example, the common point above mentioned may shift with respect to the axes of both the vertical spindle 33 and the horizontal crank shaft 42, 46; and the axis of the crank shaft 42, 46 may shift laterally so as not to intersect the axis of the vertical spindle 33.

It will be noted that the several links 4346 of the crank assembly are located in the same plane and that the several pivots 52, 53, 54 connecting these links have their axes perpendicular to this plane. Thus the overcentering movement of these links, compressing the spring 61 due to automatic operation by the train, takes place wholly within this plane which is substantially horizontal when the hand lever 12 is in either of the horizontal closed positions.

During automatic operation while the assembly is passing through dead center position, the spring thrust is taken by the opposite sides of the casing, thus relieving bearings of the vertical spindle 33. In addition, the adjusting bolt and nut 64, 67 relieve spring thrust against the casing during the intermediate part of the manual throw from one horizontal position to the other.

Thus, the switchstand may be operated either by hand, automatically by a train, or remotely through the motor M mounted on the hand lever 12, in the latter two cases without disturbing the hand lever. The spring 61 may be adjusted to provide desired pressure of switchpoints against stock rails and to assist the initial raising of the hand lever. The switchstand is of great sensitivity when in dead center position, this sensitivity being caused both by the relief of the vertical spindle bearings from spring pressure at this period and by the natural instability which the pivot link 43 adds to the overcentering linkage.

Power operation of the spring base may be achieved in other ways and referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the hub or extension of the spring base 42 may be provided with a worm wheel adapted to be rotated by a worm gear 81 driven by a motor M, the latter being mounted on the handle 12 as in the instance of the motor M.

Alternatively, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the gear 19 secured to the spring base 42 may be rotated through opposite 180 positions by a rack 85 reciprocated by the piston 86 of hydraulic cylinder 87. The hydraulic cylinder is mounted on the handle 12, and fluid under pressure may be delivered to either the piston end or the rod end thereof, depending upon the required direction of reciprocation of the rack 85, through suitable conduits 88 and 89, receiving fluid under pressure from a pump 90, the latter being operated by a motor M. In this instance, the piston may be allowed to bottom at the end of each stroke, accurately determined as the limit or home position of the switchpoints, and a constant reversing valve (not shown) will be associated with the conduits so that at the end of each piston stroke the flow of fluid for the next stroke will be in the opposite direction. If preferred, however, the stroke of the rack may be limited to the required amount by suitable latching pawls.

It will be seen from the foregoing that we have preserved all the structural advantages of the known switch stand of US. Patent No. 2,575,037 while enabling that switchstand to be operated by a power unit secured to the handle 12, presenting a gear (whether a pinion, a worm or a rack) in mesh with a gear on the spring base 42 to be driven, thereby keying the handle 12 to the spring base 42. In this fashion, the power unit may be used at any time without regard to the position of the switch points or to the mode of operation previously used to set the switch points, and without turning the handle 12 which is merely journalled on the spring base. Thus, the switch points are moved from one position to the other when the throw rod 14 is reciprocated either as an incident to throwing the handle manually through from one limit position to the other, or as an incident to the train wheels passing through the switch itself in a so-called trailing direction. In the first instance, the toggle spring plays no essential role, and in the second instance the spring 61 is compressed automatically and completes the throw as the spindle box turns past dead center position. So, in the instance of power operation through the gear train, the spring base may be rotated without regard to the former mode of operation, manual or by the train, and without regard to the position of the handle. In fact, the spring base and spindle box may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise or 360 in either direction.

Hence, while we have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of our invention, it is to be under stood that these are capable of variation and modification, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a railroad switch stand, a rotatable spring base having secured thereto a gear to be driven, said spring base presenting a spring seat, a toggle spring having one end engaging the spring seat, a cross-head spanning the other end of the spring and so coupled to the spring base as to rotate with the spring base and being movable axially of and independently of the spring base, said cross-head being normally aligned on a longitudinal axis, a first link pivotally connected to the cross-head and normally canted to said axis, a second link pivotally connected to the first link and canted in the opposite direction relative to said axis, a spindle box rotatable on a vertical axis and presenting a vertically extending recess which embraces the second link, the second link being normally centered in the recess but slidea-ble vertically therein, a third link for absorbing thrust pivotally connected to the second link and being substantially aligned on said axis at all times, said spindle box being adapted to be connected to a reciprocal switch throw rod whereby reciprocation of the throw rod turns the spindle box and whereby rotation of the spindle box reciprocates the throw rod, rotation of the spindle box to a dead center position being accompanied by substantial alignment of all of said links on said axis and compression of said spring, rotation of said spring base being accompanied by rotation of said cross-head, said spindle box and said links as a unit, a manual switch throw handle journalled on said spring base so that the spring base may be retated without motion of the handle, and power means supported by said handle presenting a drive means meshed with said gear, whereby the meshing engagement serves to key the handle to the spring base causing oscillation of the spring base on movement of the handle and whereby energization of the drive means turns the spring base independently of the handle.

2. In a railroad switch stand, a housing, a spindle box journalled in said housing and adapted to both rotate and be rotated by a throw rod connected to the switch points of the railroad switch, a crank assembly comprising a link bearing on said spindle box, another link pivotally connected to the first named link and said other link being pivotally connected to a cross-head, a rotatable spring base having a bore slideably receiving the crosshead for axial movement therein, said cross-head being rotatable with the spring base, a toggle spring acting between the spring base and the cross-head, said spring base having a gear thereon disposed outward of the housing, a manual throw handle journalled relative to said spring base, a power unit mounted on the handle, and means driven by the power unit and being meshed with said gear.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,575,037 11/1951 Andersen 241-411 2,054,543 9/1936 Hoffman et al. 1,677,388 7/1928 Gray. 1,373,031 3/1921 Strom et a1.

ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

R. A. BERTSCH, Assistant Examiner. 

